Toy Vehicle Raceways with Clipping Mechanism and Supporting Block Builder

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle raceways comprises a connector assembly mounted in track sections, wherein the connector assembly comprises: a plug; a socket; a plurality of clipping mechanisms in racing track boards of the raceway and each clipping mechanism comprising a male connector in one end and a female connector in the opposite end, wherein the female connector is a clipper in which the male connector is clipped-in to provide the electronic and data flow through the male connector and female connector; a plurality of supporting block builders and each supporting block builder comprising a base, a plurality of supporting blocks and a detachable clipper, wherein the supporting blocks are stacked on the base, the detachable clipper is inserted into the supporting block while clipped onto the racing track board of the raceways. The present invention helps the user to build highly safe and rigid raceways.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/916,297 filed on Mar. 9, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toy vehicle raceways and particularly to the toy vehicle raceways with clipping mechanism and supporting block builder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy vehicle racing games have long been popular among children of varied ages and even adults. Generally the toy vehicle raceways are formed of track sections arranged to form paths. Toy vehicles used on such raceways may be either self-powered vehicles or may receive power from an external source. In order to increase play value of the toy vehicle racing games, various amusement features have been added to the toy vehicle raceways.

A U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,994 (publication No. 2014/0194035A1) disclosed a toy vehicle raceway and rolling cart may include a plurality of multilane track segments, each of which may have a corresponding pivotally mounted support bracket. A toy vehicle raceway may be capable of being assembled in a plurality of configurations, including a racing configuration wherein the track segments and brackets may be assembled as a ramped raceway and a transport configuration wherein one or more of the track segments and brackets may be assembled to form a rolling cart for securely carrying other raceway components.

Another U.S. patent application (publication No. 20170106303A1) disclosed a relay segment for a toy track set is provided, the relay segment having a trigger moveably secured to the relay segment proximate to a first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement with respect to the relay segment, the trigger being capable of movement between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position.

A further U.S. patent application (publication No. 20050287919A1) disclosed a track structure utilizes a flexible track frame having a roadway portion for supporting a rolling toy vehicle. The frame further includes a plurality of outwardly extending opposed pairs of platforms on each side of the roadway. A plurality of guide post supports are secured to the platforms and define notches for receiving a snap-fitted guide rail. A pair of generally cylindrical elongated somewhat flexible and resilient guide rails is snap-fitted to the guide rails supports on each side of the frame to form trackway walls. The cooperation of the guide rails and their supports facilitates the shape retention of the track segments.

Despite substantial variation and great effort by practitioners of the toy arts in providing evermore interesting toy vehicle raceways, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for improved toy vehicle raceways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide the toy vehicle raceways to solve the directional problems when assembling the track sections of the toy vehicle raceways, so as to prevent the wrong connection between the neighboring track sections and increase the shape variability of the toy vehicle raceways.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the toy vehicle raceways to transfer signal, so as to provide more interesting, exciting and innovative toy vehicle raceways.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the toy vehicle raceways with clipping mechanism and supporting block builder to build a highly safe and rigid raceways and provide a stable and smooth racing environment.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides the toy vehicle raceways, the connector assembly mounted in the track sections of the toy vehicle raceways, the connector assembly comprising: a plug comprising a plug base, plug ribs extending from opposite side walls of the plug base and a mating tongue extending through the plug base, plug contacts located on the upper surface and lower surface of the mating tongue, wherein one of the plug contacts is positive contact and the other plug contact is negative contact, the positive contact and negative contact of the plug are arranged vertically; a socket comprising a socket base, socket ribs extending from opposite side walls of the socket base and an end extending from the rear side wall of the socket base, the socket base defining a socket housing, socket contacts located within the socket housing, wherein one of the socket contacts is positive contact and the other socket contact is negative contact, the positive contact and negative contact of the socket are arranged vertically; a plurality of clipping mechanisms in racing track boards of the raceway and each clipping mechanism comprising a male connector in one end and a female connector in the opposite end, wherein the female connector is a clipper in which the male connector is clipped-in to provide the electronic and data flow through the male connector and female connector; a plurality of supporting block builders and each supporting block builder comprising a base, a plurality of supporting blocks and a detachable clipper, wherein the supporting blocks are stacked on the base, the detachable clipper is inserted into the supporting block while clipped onto the racing track board of the raceways.

In one embodiment, each racing track board is built with four racing tracks and each racing track has at least two clipping mechanisms.

In one embodiment, the base has a protrusion in the middle area; each supporting block has a depressing part in one end and a protruding part in another end, and a receiving slot on side; the size of the protrusion of the base is fitted with the depression part of the supporting block, while the depressing part of one support block is fitted with the depression part of another support block so that the plurality of supporting blocks are stacked vertically on the base.

In one embodiment, the detachable clipper has a clipping part and an inserting part extending from the clipping part; the inserting part of the detachable clipper is inserted into the receiving slot of the supporting block while the clipping part is clipped onto the racing track board of the raceways.

In one embodiment, a first connector assembly and a second connector assembly are mounted in neighboring track sections; wherein a first plug of the first connector assembly and a second socket of the second connector assembly are mounted in one track section and a first socket of the first connector assembly and a second plug of the second connector assembly are mounted in the corresponding location of another track section.

In one embodiment, the plug base defines a plug housing and the mating tongue has a front part and a rear part; wherein the front part extends longitudinally away from the plug base along a mating direction and the rear part extends through and beyond the plug housing opposite the mating direction.

In one embodiment, the upper surface and the lower surface of the front part of the mating tongue respectively define a plug slot, wherein the plug slots and the plug housing are interlinked.

In one embodiment, the plug base defines a cutting; wherein one ends of the plug contacts are exposingly located in the plug slots, the other ends of the plug contacts extend beyond the plug housing and expose from the cutting along the upper surface and lower surface of the rear part of the mating tongue.

In one embodiment, the socket base defines a socket housing and the size to be contained the front part of the plug during a mating event; wherein an upper inner wall and a lower inner wall of the socket respectively define a socket slot, the socket slots and the socket housing 24 are interlinked, the socket slots extend through the rear side wall of the socket to leave openings, and the ending is located between the openings.

In one embodiment, one end of the socket contacts are exposingly located in the socket slot, and the other end of the socket contacts extend beyond the openings and along the upper surface and lower surface of the ending.

In one embodiment, the toy vehicle raceways include signal lines, negative power lines and positive power lines; the signal lines, the negative power lines and the positive power lines are all communicated with the PCBs.

In one embodiment, the positive contacts of the plug and socket are connected with the signal lines, the negative contacts of the plug and socket are connected with negative power lines and the positive power lines are connected through the PCBs.

In one embodiment, the toy vehicle raceways have racing tracks with different color lights; wherein the interfaces of the color lights have four pins, the middle two pins are connected with the single lines and the side pins are connected with the negative power lines.

To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partly perspective view of the toy vehicle raceways according to the present invention, wherein the connector assemblies are mounted in the track sections of the toy vehicle raceways;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plug of the connector assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the socket of the connector assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a prior art view of the connector assemblies when the track sections are assembled;

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the connector assemblies when the track sections are assembled according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another prior art view of the connector assemblies when the track sections are assembled;

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the connector assemblies when the track sections are assembled according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connector assemblies are mounted in the track sections of the toy vehicle raceways according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of interfaces the toy vehicle raceways and a circuit diagram of interfaces of the color lights according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clipping mechanism in combined state and separated state according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the supporting block builder in combined state according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the supporting block builder in separated state according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention would be further described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments of the present invention. While example embodiments may include various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.

FIG. 1 is a partly perspective view of the toy vehicle raceways according to the present invention. The connector assemblies 100 are mounted in the track sections 200 of the toy vehicle raceways. For example, there are two connector assemblies between the neighboring track sections, namely the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly in the embodiment of the present invention. Each connector assembly has a plug and a socket. Mounting directions of the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly between the neighboring track sections 200 are opposite. That is, the first plug of the first connector assembly and the second socket of the second connector assembly are mounted in one track section and the first socket of the first connector assembly and the second plug of the second connector assembly are mounted in the corresponding location of another track section.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plug 1 includes a plug base 11, plug ribs 12 extending from opposite side walls of the plug base 11 and a mating tongue 13 extending through the plug base 11. The plug ribs 12 are sized to be inserted into grooves of the track sections 200 to secure the plug 1 into the track sections 200. The plug base 11 defines a plug housing 14. The mating tongue 13 has a front part 131 and a rear part 132, wherein the front part 131 extends longitudinally away from the plug base 11 along a mating direction and the rear part 132 extends through and beyond the plug housing 14 opposite the mating direction. The front part 131 is trapezoid as preferred example and defines an upper surface, a lower surface and side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom of the trapezoid mating tongue 13 is 9.5˜10.5 mm width and 2.8˜2.9 mm thick. The top of the trapezoid mating tongue 13 is 8˜9 mm width and 2.0˜2.1 mm thick. The height of the trapezoid mating tongue 13 is 3˜4 mm.

The upper surface and the lower surface of the front part 131 of the mating tongue 13 respectively define a plug slot 133. The plug slots 133 and the plug housing 14 are interlinked. Furthermore, the middle rear part of the plug base 11 defines a cutting 134.

The plug 1 further includes at least two plug contacts 15. The plug contacts are arranged on the upper surface and lower surface of the mating tongue 13. Specially, one ends of the plug contacts 15 are exposingly located in the plug slots 133. The other ends of the plug contacts 15 extend beyond the plug housing 14 and expose from the cutting 134 along the rear part 132. In the preferred embodiment, the plug contact 15 is 4˜5 mm width. One of the plug contacts 15 is positive contact and the other plug contact is negative contact. It is very important that the positive contact and negative contact of the plug 1 are arranged vertically.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the socket 2 includes a socket base 21, socket ribs 22 extending from opposite side walls of the socket base 21 and an end 23 extending from the rear side wall of the socket base 21. The socket ribs 22 are sized to be inserted into grooves of the track sections 200 to secure the socket 2 into the track sections 200. The socket base 21 defines a socket housing 24. The socket housing 24 is trapezoid as preferred example and the size to be contained the front part 131 of the plug 1 during a mating event.

The upper inner wall and the lower inner wall of the socket 2 respectively define a socket slot 25. The socket slots 25 and the socket housing 24 are interlinked and the socket slots 25 extend through the rear side wall of the socket 2 to leave openings 26. The ending 23 is located between the openings 26.

Referring to FIG. 2, the socket further includes at least two socket contacts 27. The socket contacts 27 are arranged on upper inner wall and the lower inner wall of the socket 2. Specially, one ends of the socket contacts 27 are exposingly located in the socket slot. The other ends of the socket contacts 27 extend beyond the openings and along the ending 23. In the preferred embodiment, the socket contact 27 is 4˜5 mm width. One of the socket contacts 15 is positive contact and the other socket contact is negative contact. It is very important that the positive contact and negative contact of the socket 2 are arranged vertically.

In some prior arts, each track section includes positive contacts and negative contacts for electric connection. However, the positive contacts and negative contacts are arranged horizontally as shown in the FIG. 5. When the track sections are assembled, the positive contacts must be mated with the positive contacts and the negative contacts must be mated with the negative contacts between neighboring track sections. If one of the track sections is reversed, there will be connection problems because the positive contacts cannot electronic connect with the negative contacts between neighboring track sections.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the connector assemblies 100 are added in the track sections 200. The positive contact and negative contact of the plug 1 and socket 2 are all arranged vertically. Referring to FIG. 6, when the track sections are assembled, no connection problems whether the track sections are forward or reverse.

Furthermore, if the track sections are curved and the positive contacts and negative contacts of the track sections are arranged horizontally as shown in the FIG. 7, the connection is limited to a certain direction, so as to limit the possibility of changes of the toy vehicle raceways.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the positive contact and negative contact of the plug 1 and socket 2 are all arranged vertically. Referring to FIG. 8, the track sections could be assembled in forward direction and reversed direction, so as to greatly increase the shape variability of the toy vehicle raceways, especially the toy vehicle raceways are composited of multiple curved track sections.

In order to provide more interesting, exciting and innovative toy vehicle raceways, the connector assemblies 100 not only can electronically connected, but also can transfer signals. Referring to FIG. 9, the toy vehicle raceways include signal lines 300, negative power lines 400 and positive power lines 500. The signal lines 300, the negative power lines 400 and the positive power lines 500 are all communicated with the PCBs 600. The positive contacts of the plug 1 and socket 2 are connected with the signal lines 300, the negative contacts of the plug 1 and socket 2 are connected with negative power lines 400 and the positive power lines 500 are connected through the PCBs 600.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the toy vehicle raceways have racing tracks with different color lights, for example, the first racing track with the red lights, the second racing track with green lights and the third racing track with the blue lights. The circuit diagram of interfaces the toy vehicle raceways, and the circuit diagram of interfaces of the color lights are as shown in FIG. 10. The interfaces of the color lights have four pins, wherein the middle two pins (pin 2 and pin 3) are connected with the single lines 300 and the side pins (pin 1 and pin 4) are connected with the negative power lines 400. Thus, the racing tracks of the toy vehicle raceways have different color lights through the connector assemblies 100 transferring signals.

There are different kinds of racing track board, for example, the rectangular shape and the semi-circular shape. Each racing track board is built with at least two racing tracks. However unstable and loose connection between racing track boards that causes electronic and data disconnection is always the biggest problem in the long run. In the present invention, each racing track board is built with four racing tracks and each racing track has at least two clipping mechanisms 3. Each clipping mechanism 3 includes a male connector 31 in one end and a female connector 32 in the opposite end.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clipping mechanism in combined state and separated state according to the present invention. The clipping mechanism 3 is in a slender shape with the male connector 31 and the female 32. The female connector 32 is a clipper in which the male connector 31 can be firmly and tightly clipped-in to ensure that the electronic and data flow through the male connector 31 and female connector 32 is uninterrupted in the course of the racing game. In the preferred embodiment, the male connector 31 and female connector 32 are made from high precision stainless steel material. The clipping mechanism 3 is flexible so as to it is easily to build a highly safe and rigid raceways according to the user's design. It also provides a stable and smooth racing environment for the users and makes the game more fun and interesting to play.

In addition, the present invention also provides a supporting block builder (SBD) 4 to support the raceways. FIGS. 12 and 13 are the perspective views of the supporting block builder in combined state and in separated state according to the present invention. The supporting block builder 4 includes a base 41, a plurality of support blocks 42 and a detachable clip 43. The base 41 has a protrusion 411 in the middle area. Each supporting block 42 has a depressing part 421 in one end and a protruding part 422 in another end. Further, each supporting block 42 has a receiving slot 423 on side. The detachable clipper 43 has a clipping part 431 and an inserting part 432 extending from the clipping part 431. The size of the protrusion 411 of the base 41 is fitted with the depression part 421 of the supporting block 42. The depressing part 421 of one support block 42 is fitted with the depression part 421 of another support block 42 so that the plurality of supporting blocks can be stacked vertically on the base 41. The inserting part 432 of the detachable clipper 43 can be inserted into the receiving slot 423 of the supporting block 42 while the clipping part 431 is used for clipping onto the racing track board of the raceways.

In the present invention, the supporting block builder is a sturdy platform base on which multiple supporting blocks can be stacked up to different levels that is required by the users in their racing course design. The raceways are stably supported by many supporting block builders at various appropriate supporting points to ensure that the raceways are stable. The inserting part 432 of the detachable clipper 43 can be inserted into or removed from receiving slot of the supporting block 42 easily to adjust the height of each racing track board of the raceways.

Thus the improved toy vehicle raceways with clipping mechanism and supporting block builder of the present invention helps the users to design a professional multi-storey raceways with adjustable heights and curvatures and the raceways are highly safe and rigid. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy vehicle raceway comprises a connector assembly mounted in track sections of the toy vehicle raceway, wherein the connector assembly comprises: a plug comprising a plug base, plug ribs extending from opposite side walls of the plug base and a mating tongue extending through the plug base, plug contacts located on the upper surface and lower surface of the mating tongue, wherein one of the plug contacts is positive contact and the other plug contact is negative contact, the positive contact and negative contact of the plug are arranged vertically; a socket comprising a socket base, socket ribs extending from opposite side walls of the socket base and an end extending from the rear side wall of the socket base, the socket base defining a socket housing, socket contacts located within the socket housing, wherein one of the socket contacts is positive contact and the other socket contact is negative contact, the positive contact and negative contact of the socket are arranged vertically; a plurality of clipping mechanisms in racing track boards of the raceway and each clipping mechanism comprising a male connector in one end and a female connector in the opposite end, wherein the female connector is a clipper in which the male connector is clipped-in to provide the electronic and data flow through the male connector and female connector; a plurality of supporting block builders and each supporting block builder comprising a base, a plurality of supporting blocks and a detachable clipper, wherein the supporting blocks are stacked on the base, the detachable clipper is inserted into the supporting block while clipped onto the racing track board of the raceways.
 2. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 1, wherein each racing track board is built with four racing tracks and each racing track has at least two clipping mechanisms.
 3. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 1, wherein the base has a protrusion in the middle area.
 4. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 3, wherein each supporting block has a depressing part in one end and a protruding part in another end, and a receiving slot on side.
 5. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 4, the size of the protrusion of the base is fitted with the depression part of the supporting block, while the depressing part of one support block is fitted with the depression part of another support block so that the plurality of supporting blocks are stacked vertically on the base.
 6. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 5, wherein the detachable clipper has a clipping part and an inserting part extending from the clipping part.
 7. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 6, wherein the inserting part of the detachable clipper is inserted into the receiving slot of the supporting block while the clipping part is clipped onto the racing track board of the raceways.
 8. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 1, wherein a first connector assembly and a second connector assembly are mounted in neighboring track sections; wherein a first plug of the first connector assembly and a second socket of the second connector assembly are mounted in one track section and a first socket of the first connector assembly and a second plug of the second connector assembly are mounted in the corresponding location of another track section.
 9. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 1, wherein the plug base defines a plug housing and the mating tongue has a front part and a rear part; wherein the front part extends longitudinally away from the plug base along a mating direction and the rear part extends through and beyond the plug housing opposite the mating direction.
 10. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 9, wherein the upper surface and the lower surface of the front part of the mating tongue respectively define a plug slot, wherein the plug slots and the plug housing are interlinked.
 11. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 10, wherein the plug base defines a cutting; wherein one ends of the plug contacts are exposingly located in the plug slots, the other ends of the plug contacts extend beyond the plug housing and expose from the cutting along the upper surface and lower surface of the rear part of the mating tongue.
 12. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 1, wherein the socket base defines a socket housing and the size to be contained the front part of the plug during a mating event; wherein an upper inner wall and a lower inner wall of the socket respectively define a socket slot, the socket slots and the socket housing are interlinked, the socket slots extend through the rear side wall of the socket to leave openings, and the ending is located between the openings.
 13. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 12, wherein one end of the socket contacts are exposingly located in the socket slots, and the other end of the socket contacts extend beyond the openings and along the upper surface and lower surface of the ending.
 14. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 1, wherein the toy vehicle raceways include signal lines, negative power lines and positive power lines; the signal lines, the negative power lines and the positive power lines are all communicated with the PCBs.
 15. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 14, wherein the positive contacts of the plug and socket are connected with the signal lines, the negative contacts of the plug and socket are connected with negative power lines and the positive power lines are connected through the PCBs.
 16. The toy vehicle raceways of claim 15, wherein the toy vehicle raceways have racing tracks with different color lights; wherein the interfaces of the color lights have four pins, the middle two pins are connected with the single lines and the side pins are connected with the negative power lines. 